Dynamic erectable bedsheet riser

ABSTRACT

A device for raising and lowering a distal portion of a bedsheet such that to accommodate the feet of a person lying in a supine position. The device includes a frame that can be mounted underneath the mattress for supporting the device. The device further includes a base coupled to the frame and a fin pivotally coupled to the base. The fin can pivot upwards to raise the distal portion of the bedsheet and can be pivoted downwards to lower the distal portion of the bedsheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Appl.No. 63/231,775 filed on Aug. 11, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bedsheet riser, and moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a bedsheet riser that canraise a portion of the bed sheet for accommodating the feet of a personsleeping.

BACKGROUND

For people who typically find it most comfortable to sleep supine,tightly tucked sheets and bed coverings may pose discomfort. This isbecause the tightly tucked bedding prevents the sleeper from orientinghis or her feet in a sagittal plane relative to the body. Typically,supine sleepers prefer untucked or loosely tucked bedding to accommodatethe sagittal orientation of the feet. While staying in hotels and likeplaces, the problem exacerbates because the housekeeping at such placesprefers to tuck the bedding tightly. Tightly tucked bedding appearsaesthetic and so the housekeeping prefers to keep the beddings tuckedtightly despite discomfort for certain people.

Thus, a need is appreciated for a device that allows adjusting a portionof the bedsheet that covers the feet to be raised according to a desireof a user.

The term “bedsheet” herein refers to a top sheet that is used to coverat least a body portion of a person and includes blankets, comforters,and the like. The term “bedsheet” includes more than one bedsheet andwherein two bedsheets can be the same or different.

The term “bed envelope” herein refers to a space between the bedsheetand underlying bedding over which a person sleeps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention to provide a basic understanding of suchembodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify criticalelements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or allembodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or moreembodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to adevice to raise a distal portion of a bedsheet that at least overliesthe feet of a user.

It is another object of the present invention that the distal portion ofthe bedsheet can be raised to create sufficient volume for freelyaccommodating the user's dorsiflexed feet.

It is still another object of the present invention that the device canbe modular and erectable for use.

It is a further object of the present invention that the device can beadapted for different-sized mattresses.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the device iscompact for storage and travel.

In one aspect, disclosed is a device to raise a distal portion of abedsheet that least covers the feet of a user to various levels forcomfortably accommodating the feet, and in particular, the dorsiflexedfeet of the user. The disclosed device is readily portable, erectable,and installable across a variety of different-sized beds for use in thehome or when traveling.

In one aspect, disclosed is a device to increase comfort for users whoprefer to sleep supine with tucked bedsheets. The disclosed deviceprovides controlled lifting and lowering of the distal portion bedsheetto accommodate the user's feet comfortably when lying supine with feetdisposed in a sagittal plane.

In one aspect, disclosed is a device and method of use thereof forraising and lowering a distal portion of a bedsheet, the devicecomprises a frame configured to mount to a supporting structure; a basecoupled to the frame; a fin pivotally coupled to the base; and anactuating member configured to pivot the fin between an open state and aclosed state, the fin is substantially upstanding in the open state, andthe fin is horizontal in the closed state. The actuating member is a gasspring, the actuating member is configured to pull the fin from theclosed state to the open state. In one implementation, the actuatingmember may be motorized to raise the fin. The fin has a smooth androunded surface. The device further comprises a push latch mechanism,the push latch mechanism configured to lock the fin to the base. Theframe further comprises a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, thehorizontal portion configured to sandwich between a mattress and aplatform while the fin is underneath the bedsheet. The fin pivots to 90degrees or more than 90 degrees. The device further comprises anelevating member, the base coupled to the frame through the elevatingmember, the elevating member configured to increase or decrease inlength for increasing or decreasing an effective height of the baserelative to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and enable a person skilled in therelevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device having the cover of the baseof the device removed to show the inner components, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the device with the covers of the base and the fin removedto show the inner components, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the device having the cover of the fin removed, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the gas spring and inner components of the fin, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the inner components of the base of the device, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the base and the elevating member ofthe device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is another view of the image shown in FIG. 7 , according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the frame, elevating member, and thebase, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the device, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subjectmatter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and,therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construedas not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein;exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise,reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter isintended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode ofoperation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

The following detailed description is described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, specific details may be set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident,however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures andapparatus are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing the subject innovation. Moreover, the drawings may not be toscale.

Disclosed is a bedsheet riser that can selectively raise a portion of abedsheet. Preferably, the bedsheet riser can raise a distal portion ofthe bedsheet that overlie the feet of a user, the bedsheet covering theuser in a supine portion. The disclosed device allows users to conformor sleep in the supine position while the bedsheet can be tightly tuckedunder the mattress. The bedsheet riser by raising a distal portion ofthe bedsheet allows the users to orient their feet in a sagittal planerelative to the body. Besides the tightly tucked bedsheet, the discloseddevice can allow the user to comfortably place his dorsiflexed feetwhile in a supine position by raising a portion of the bedsheet abovethe feet of the user i.e., the distal portion.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10 which disclose a bedsheet riser device 100 thatcan be mounted to a side of a bed and can be used to lift a distalportion of the bedsheet such as to comfortably accommodate the feet of auser. The disclosed bedsheet riser 100 includes a frame 105 that can beused to mount the disclosed device 100 to a supporting structure, suchas a bed. It is to be understood, however, that the frame can bereplaced by any mounting structure that can be used to mount thedisclosed device to a side of the bed. For example, suitable clamps orbrackets can be used to mount the disclosed device to the bed.

The frame can be assembled from the tubular members and suitable joints,such as elbow joints and the like. The frame can be planar that cansandwich between a mattress and the top of the bed. The size of theframe can be large enough to be stably retained by the weight of anoverlying portion of the mattress.

To increase the height of the disclosed device, vertical poles can beused in the frame. FIG. 2 shows such device 200 which includes anL-shape frame 210. The L-shape frame 210 includes a horizontal portion220 and a vertical portion 230. The horizontal portion can be sandwichedbetween the mattress and the bed. The vertical portion 230 can provide adesired height to the disclosed device. The vertical portion canvertically extend upwards from an edge of the horizontal portion. Theheight of the vertical portion can be increased or decreased by usingsuitable tubular members. The frame can be assembled and disassembledwhich may allow the device to be stored and transported compactly andcan be assembled before use. The device 200 can include an elevatingmember 240, a base 250, and a fin 260.

Again, referring to FIG. 1 , device 100 further includes a base 110, thebase 110 can be coupled to frame 105 through an elevating member 115that can allow limited adjustment to the height of the base from theframe.

FIG. 1 shows the elevating member 115, more clearly shown in FIG. 10 ,the elevating member 115 has an upper plate 125, a lower plate 120, andan arm 130. The upper plate 125 can be coupled to the base 110, thelower plate 120 can be coupled to the frame 105, and the arm 130 can becoupled to the upper plate 125 and the lower plate 120. The lower plate120 can be coupled to frame 105 using pivot points. The arm can becoupled to the lower plate and the upper plate using the pivots. Thisallows the base to be moved upwards and downwards, by pivoting the upperplate relative to the frame. The base 110 can be lifted to variouslevels, wherein the arm can have spaced apart holes, and removable pins150.

To the base 110 can be coupled with a fin 135 using suitable fasteners.The fin can pivot 90 degrees or more than 90 degrees and can remain inposition by using suitable gas springs 145. The fin can be pusheddownwards using slight force and similarly, the fin can be pulledupwards using slight force against the gas spring. The outer surface ofthe fin can be smooth and rounded, wherein the fin can be placed underthe distal portion of the bedsheet to lift the distal portion of thebedsheet. It is understood that the gas spring can be replaced by anyother mechanism such as hydraulics, and the like. The fin can pivot 90degrees or more than 90 degrees to prevent the closing of the fin by theweight of the bedsheet or any external force or weight on the fin.

The base 110 and the fin 135 can have covers that provide a smooth outersurface and aesthetic appearance. FIG. 3 shows an inner member 140 afterthe cover of the base is removed. FIG. 4 shows the inner member 155 ofthe fin after removing the cover of the fin.

For use, the disclosed device can be mounted to a bed, wherein thehorizontal portion of the frame can be placed under the mattress whilethe vertical portion extends upwards along the side of the mattress. Thefin can be placed under one or more bedsheets, to raise the distalportion of the bedsheet up and down. The fin can be locked to the baseusing a push latch mechanism. The fin can be pushed slightly to unlockthe fin from the base, wherein the gas springs can pull the fin upwardsraising the distal portion of the bedsheet. To lower the bedsheet, thefin can be pressed downwards towards the base and the fin can be lockedto the base.

A suitable mechanism can also be provided to smoothen the pivoting ofthe fin relative to the base. For example, a gear or friction mechanismcan be used to slow down the movement of the fin, to prevent the abruptmovement of the fin. The smooth and rounded cover of the fin can preventthe snagging of the bedsheet.

In certain embodiments, the device can be provided with an electricmotor to move the fin between an open state and a closed state. Themanual gas springs can be replaced by the electric motor to move thefin. In one case, a control button can also be provided that can beactuated to operate the motor for pivoting the fin in either directioni.e., to open or close the fin.

The base of the device can further include holes on its side walls. Anysheet to be placed on the bed can be stuffed into these holes to keepthe sheet from slipping towards the center of the bed. FIG. 1 shows twospaced apart holes in two opposite walls of the base. These holes on thesides of the base can be useful when the disclosed device is installedon a side of a bed, instead of the end of the bed. When the device isinstalled on the side of the bed, the device may not retain the bedsheetraised in a tent-like manner for long but slips. By stuffing thebedsheets into these holes, the slip can be prevented.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for raising and lowering a distalportion of a bedsheet, the device comprises: a frame configured to mountto a supporting structure; a base coupled to the frame; a fin pivotallycoupled to the base; and an actuating member configured to pivot the finbetween an open state and a closed state, the fin is substantiallyupstanding in the open state, and the fin is horizontal in the closedstate.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating memberis a gas spring, the actuating member is configured to pull the fin fromthe closed state to the open state.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein the actuating member is an electric motor.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fin has a smooth and rounded surface.5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device furthercomprises: a push latch mechanism, the push latch mechanism configuredto lock the fin to the base.
 6. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe frame further comprises: a horizontal portion and a verticalportion, the horizontal portion configured to sandwich between amattress and a platform while the fin is underneath the bedsheet.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the fin pivots to 90 degrees ormore than 90 degrees.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein thedevice further comprises: an elevating member, the base coupled to theframe through the elevating member, the elevating member configured toincrease or decrease in length for increasing or decreasing an effectiveheight of the base relative to the frame.
 9. A method for raising andlowering a distal portion of a bedsheet, the method comprises the stepsof: providing a device for raising and lowering the distal portion ofthe bedsheet, the device comprises: a frame configured to mount to asupporting structure, a base coupled to the frame; a fin pivotallycoupled to the base, and an actuating member configured to pivot the finbetween an open state and a closed state, the fin is substantiallyupstanding in the open state, and the fin is horizontal in the closedstate.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the actuating memberis a gas spring, the actuating member is configured to pull the fin fromthe closed state to the open state.
 11. The method according to claim 9,wherein the actuating member is an electric motor.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the fin has a smooth and rounded surface.13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the device furthercomprises: a push latch mechanism, the push latch mechanism configuredto lock the fin to the base.
 14. The method according to claim 9,wherein the frame further comprises a horizontal portion and a verticalportion, the horizontal portion configured to sandwich between amattress and a platform while the fin is underneath the bedsheet. 15.The method according to claim 9, wherein the fin pivots to 90 degrees ormore than 90 degrees.
 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein thedevice further comprises: an elevating member, the base coupled to theframe through the elevating member, the elevating member configured toincrease or decrease in length for increasing or decreasing an effectiveheight of the base relative to the frame.